Hydrostep for fish streams



06L 1, 1929. 5 ETH I 1,730,005

HYDROSTEP FOR FISH STREAMS Filed Jul; 16, 1926 Patented Oct. 1, 1929rear HYDROSTEP FOR FISH STREAMS Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to an improvement in hydrosteps used inconnection with dams of streams so that fish can traverse the step andsurmount the dam, the primary object of the invention being for thepurpose of providing the step with improved means for providing a waterraceway capable of being traversed by the fish as they travel Lip-streamand with means for providing water pockets which are disposed offsetfrom the raceway.

Another object of the invention is in providing a hydrostep with araceway and water retarding means which form part of the step.

A further object of the invention is in providing a hydrostep with meanswhereby water pockets which are relatively quiet or calm which arearranged adjacent the water raceway so that the fish can enter thepockets from the raceway and remain there for a -period of restingbefore again entering the raceway for the purpose of surmounting thewater dam in the stream.

Other and further objects will appear in the specification and bespecifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, exemplifying the invention, and in whichFigure 1 is a longitudinal section of this improved hydrostep having thebottom wall thereof in side elevation and showing the application ofthis improved step to the dam of a water stream.

Figure 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a damover which the waterfall 2 traverses, and secured on top of the dam in ahorizontal position by an anchoring member 3 is a crib 4, the bottom 5of the crib having an opening 6 formed therein at the up-stream endthereof. The anchoring member 3 is provided with a pair of dependingside pieces 7, each being swing ably secured at their upper ends at 8 tothe sides 9 of the crib, said crib having an end board 10 disposedintermediate of the length thereof, said board terminating a distancefrom the bottom 5 of the crib, thereby providing a water outlet 11.

In mounting the crib 4 on top of the dam it is preferable to provide adepression or 1926. Serial No. 122,751.

ditch designated at 12 on the top of the dam, I

and the crib is floated down-stream into position on top of the dam,care, however, being taken to first board over the openings 6 and 11 togive it as much buoyancy as possible, and as the crib nears the dam, theanchoring member 3 which has been held in an approximate horizontalposition is lowered into the water and the water pressure will engagethe boarding or side 13 of the lower end of the member 3, therebyforcing the anchoring member against the dam. If desired, a quantity ofsand can be placed in the pocket 14 which is formed in the lower end ofthe member 3, the then weighted end of the .an-

chor assisting the lowering operation, and after the member 3 has beenlowered against the dam, the weighted sand'therein and the waterpressure against the boarding 13 will hold the crib in position on topof the dam.

Secured to the discharge end 15 of the crib and in communication withthe outlet 11 is a chute 16, said chute being secured in a downwardlyinclinedposition from the crib by the vertical posts 17 and the crosssills 18, the lower end of said chute being engaged in the water streamat a distance below the waterfall.

The crib 16 is wider at its upper end than at its lower end, andtransversely disposed in said chute and extending upwardly from thebottom 19 thereof, are a series of spaced apart vertically inclinedmembers20, each having an over and upwardly extending portion 21, saidmembers 20 and their respective portions 21 abutting against the sidewall 22 of the chute, whereas the opposite ends of said members 20 andportions 21 are each disposed a distance away from the side wall 23 ofthe chute, thereby providing a l0ngitudinally extending runway orraceway 24 on oneside of the chute. Disposed in staggered relation tothe members 20 on the bottom of the chute 19 and abutting the side wall23 of the chute, are a series of water bafliing strips 25. a

When this improved hydrostep is placed in position as described, thewater above the dam will enter the opening 6 by reason of the bottom 5of the crib 4 being disposed a distance beneath the water surface 26,the water after entering and traversing over the bottom 5 of the cribflowing through the outlet opening 11 into the chute 16 and the water inaddition to traversing the runway 24 will flow over the portions 21 intothe pockets or dwells 27 provided between respective pairs of members20, the portions 21 of said members 20 on account of their upwardlyinclining positions, preventing any appreciable water falls being formedin the pockets 27 as the water will glide over the surface of theportions 21, said portions 21 also tending to hold the water back in therespective pockets 27. This arrangement of pockets provides relativelyquiet bodies of water therein.

As it is well known how fish have a natural bent to travel up-streamparticularly during the migratory season, the fish will enter the bodyof water traversing the runway 24 from the stream and travel along therunway, and in event that the fish become exhausted by reason of thecurrent in the runway being too strong, they will enter into one orother of the pockets 27 where they will remain for a period of timebefore again upwardly travelling the runway. It is obvious that certainfish may enter into each respective pocket as they alternately leave therunway 2st. The fish upon entering the crib will pass downwardly throughthe current surging through the opening 6 of the crib and into the bodyof water above the dam.

It is obvious that the fish can travel downstream by entering the cribthrough the opening 6.

It is to be noted that the members 20 are less in height adjacent theupper end of the chute than the members at the lower end of the chute.This is for the purpose of retarding the water so that there will be asufficient depth of water in the chute, the entire length thereof, theconverging of the side walls of the chute assisting the retarding of thewater and maintaining the sufficient water depth.

It is preferable to camouflage the chute 16 and crib 1 by painting thema dark color such as brown, and to sand-cast them so as to present anatural appearance thereto.

Inasmuch as the lower end of the chute 16 engages the water stream, aballast box 28 is secured to the lower end thereof for preventing thechute being lifted by the current of the stream, said box being filledwith a ballast such as rock.

What I claim is 1. A hydrostep to be placed in water streams comprisinga chute, and a series of vertically disposed members extending from thebottom of said chute and arranged transversely thereof, and a runwaydisposed lengthwise of said chute on one side thereof.

2. A hydrostep comprising a chute disposed inclined so as to entrainwater from a 7 dam, said chute having a series of transversely disposedvertically inclined members spaced apart from one another therebyproviding water pockets in said chute, and a runway formedlongitudinally in said chute in communication with said water pockets.

3. A hydrostep for a water dam compris ing an inclined chute having aseries of transversely disposed spaced apart members, each of saidmembers having an overextendin portion formed on the top thereof, and alongitudinally extending runway formed in said chute.

4:. A hydrostep for a water dam comprising an inclined chute having aseries of transversely disposed spaced apart members, said membersadjacent the upper end of said chute being of lesser height than themembers adjacent the lower end of said chute, and a longitudinallyextending runway formed in said chute at one side of said members.

5. A hydrostep fora water dam comprising an inclined chute having aseries of transversely disposed spaced apart members extending upwardlyfrom the bottom of the chute, each of said members having anoverextending portion formed on the top thereof, said members adjacentthe upper end of said chute being of lesser height than the membersadjacent the lower end of said chute, and a longitudinally extendingrunway formed in said chute.

6. A hydrostep for a water dam comprising an inclined chute having aseries of transversely disposed spaced apart members, each of saidmembers having an overextending portion formed on the top thereof.

7 A hydrostep comprising a chute disposed inclined so as to entrainwater from a dam, said chute having a series of transversely disposedvertically inclined members spaced apart from one another therebyproviding water pockets in said chute, a runway formed longitudinally insaid chute in com.- munication with said water pockets, and bafflingstrips in said runway disposed in staggered relation to said members.

8. A hydrostep comprising a chute disposed inclined so as to entrainwater from a dam, said chute being wider at its upper end and having aseries of transversely disposed vertically inclined members spaced apartfrom one another thereby providing water pockets in said chute, and arunway formed longitudinally in said chute in communication with saidwater pockets.

9. A hydrostep for a water dam comprising an inclined chute which iswider at its upper end than at its lower end and having a series oftranseversely disposed spaced apart members, each of said members havingan overextending portion formed on the top thereof, and a longitudinallyextending runway formed in said chute.

ELLSWORTI-I T. GRETHER.

